By Oloye Lekan Alabi
Happy 80th birthday to Professor(Evangelist)Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi,MFR.May God continue to bless you, sir. Amen.
Below is part of my 60th birthday tribute to you and Muhammad Ali, 20 years ago, titled "OBEY THE ALI IN YOU" published in the Comet on Sunday issue of 21st April,2002.
The joint tribute was in your honour and that of the greatest boxer that has ever lived, the late Muhammad Ali, who was also my hero.
Ali was born on 17th January1942,in his hometown, Louusville, Kentucky, USA and you at Massey Street Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.
Paragraph 14 of my 2002 tribute reads.
"With time, I had cultivated a big-younger brother relationship with the Chief Commander. His personally-signed congratulatory letter to me on my golden birthday in 2000 remains a prized item. There also developed a chummy relationship between me and his lead chorusman, Bode Akiwowo, who was a classmate of my wife at Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, Ogun State, Sunny Fadugba, the set drummer, Giwa Ojo Arigidi, vocalist and the late Abiodun Koleosho, guitarist.
Years later, Tunji Odunmbaku and Tunde Babalola(Obey's PR men) came into the picture.
"The truth can now be told that all the encomiums poured on me by Obey and his band during their live shows attended by me, with or without my wife, were not due to my naira power, but as a result of our good rapport. Much has been written and said about Obey's immense contributions to socio-cultural development, moral rectitude and soul inspiration.
Emphasis must, however, be laid on the former juju musician's humility, discipline and good disposition to all. His compositions are not only mature, but mostly spiritual.
Obey's ability to hold his band together for close to 30 years, without a split, speaks volumes about his acumen and organisational ability. His foresight at establishing a viable conglomerate now managed by his family is a challenge to upcoming artistes not to fritter away the gains they make while the sun shines.
"We praise God for the talents bestowed on Obey and Ali.
Earlier on, I mentioned the breakthroughs given by the different motivators of these two stars. In the case of the former Commander of Juju miliki beats, we must not forget Mr Kress of DECCA, for his sagacity, former band members such as Oke Aminu, Abiodun Koleosho,'Captain' Samson Ogunlade (all late), Israel Adio, Mutiu Kekere Jimoh and Monday John also deserve mention for their pioneering roles in the band.
Kudos also go to committed supporters of entertainment in the 60's and 70's, the era in which Obey's band blossomed.
I wish to recall pillars of music like the late Uncle Yomi Onabolu of WNTV-WNBS, Pa Oriade Wellington Oreyomi, Pa Oyenuga, Pa Obikoya, Madam Juliana Onilegogoro and Uncle Bashiru Aderibigbe, alias 'Rexona'."
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